Question

1) Describe the relationship between wild bees or little wasps and flowering plants. Is it mutualistic, symbiotic or both ? (check textbook)

elements of ecology

ecology lab ( final exam )

2 ) How important is the function of insect pollination for humans ?

Answer 1

1.

• Relationship is both symbiotic and mutualistic
• Symbiosis refers to a close, long-term interaction between two different species.
• There are many different types ofsymbiotic relationships.
• Mutualism is a type of symbiosis where both species benefit from the interaction.
• Here, Bees and flowering plants where both species benefit.
• Flowers provide bees with nectar and pollen, which worker bees collect to feed their entire colonies
• Bees provide flowers with the means to reproduce, by spreading pollen from flower to flower in a process called pollination.

Elements of ecology

• An ecosystem consists of the interdependent and interacting components of the natural environment
• It has both living elements, such as plants and animals, and non-living elements, such as soil and water.

Biotic components

• The biotic components of an ecosystem are living creatures such as plants, animals and microbes.
• Plants are called primary producers since they produce food through photosynthesis.
• Consumers of various levels get food from the producers.
• Primary consumers feed on the producers and secondary consumers feed on the primary consumers.
• Microbes, the decomposers, break down dead organisms and waste matter.

Abiotic components

• The abiotic components of an ecosystem are the climate, soil, water, minerals, sunlight, precipitation and other non-living elements that sustain life in the ecosystem.
• Water, carbon dioxide and sunlight are used by plants to produce food in many ecosystems.
• In other ecosystems, the primary source of food is dead organic matter.

2.

• Pollination by flying insects is essential to the maintainance of agriculture and ecosystems.
• Firstly, pollination is the process through which pollen is transferred from the anther to the stigma of a flower.
• butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, wasps are pollinators
• bees are most important pollinators.
• They visit flowers to drink nectar or feed off of pollen and transport pollen grains as they move from spot to spot.
• Most of the main crops grown for human consumption require pollination to increase crop yields and to produce seeds.
• They also sustain our ecosystems and produce our natural resources by helping plants reproduce.
• In addition to the food that we eat, pollinators support healthy ecosystems that clean the air, stabilize soils, protect from severe weather, and support other wildlife